US hit with more flight cuts as shutdown drags on

US airlines and travellers have slogged through a second day of flight cuts across the country as the government shutdown is expected to drive more cancellations in the days to come.

The Federal Aviation Administration instructed airlines to cut four per cent of flights on Saturday at 40 major airports because of the shutdown. The cuts will rise to six per cent on Tuesday and then to 10 per cent by November 14.

The cuts, which began early on Friday, include about 700 flights from the four largest carriers - American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

Airlines will cut fewer flights on Saturday than Friday because of lower overall volume. United will cut 168 flights, down from 184 Friday, while Southwest will cancel just under 100 flights, down from 120.